Kid: After we vote in the mud we won’t have to live in it anymore right Dad?

Sign sinking in mud: Lapindo

Placard: Basic Commodities Party

Sign on right: Presidential election

First Man: It’s the rainy season, so how come it’s so hot?

Second Man: Local warming...

Writing on umbrella: Crisis

Clockwise from top: Sri Sultan Hamengkubuwono X, Megawati Sukarnoputri, Prabowo Subianto, Wiranto, Hidayat Nur Wahid, Jusuf Kalla, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.

The children enjoyed themselves, dancing in the rain in front of the ogres. There were none who appeared troubled, what there was, was merriment. A million drops of rain and a thousand thunderbolts could not have diminished their desire to play among the water puddles.

Muhammad Taufiqqurahman, Jakarta – Students demonstrating against US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Thursday February 19 ‘forced’ police to help them trample on US flags. The police were left smiling resentfully.

Indra Subagja, Jakarta – The University of Indonesia (UI) will not be giving permission for a concert event titled “Tribute to Munir” at its Depok campus in West Jakarta on February 20. Not surprisingly this has given rise to protests by the wife of the late Munir, Suciwati.

Ari Saputra, Jakarta – At least 50 pairs of shoes were held up then after receiving a command from the action coordinator who shouted in a shrill voice “Destroy America”, the shoes glided toward a photograph of Hillary Clinton’s face.

I respectfully bow my head
To all of you the victims
Because to you alone I shall bow my head
[But] to the oppressors
Never will I bow in submission
I shall always stand erect

Parwito, Temanggung – Thousands of tobacco farmers throughout Central Java gathered at the Temanggung regency town square on Monday February 16 to hold a massive protest against the Indonesia Ulama Council (MUI) edict (fatwa) against smoking.

Rizal Maslan, Jakarta – In order to discover the truth behind the murder of human rights activist Munir, the National Human Rights Commission (Komnas HAM) has formed a public examination team.

Jakarta – The increasing use of contract labour is undermining the strength of national trade unions and making it difficult for workers to struggle for decent working conditions.

Kid: Fuel prices have gone down, so how come prices keep going up, Sir...

Legislative Candidate (Caleg): Because fuel is scarce!

Kid: But Sir! Why’s it scarce?

Caleg: Because prices keep going up!!

Placard: Basic Commodities Party

Jakarta – The slow pace of development in Papua 12 years after the implementation of special autonomy has lead observers to believe that a reevaluation of the special autonomy law is needed. They believe that the stipulations enacted in the 2001 law have lost their spirit, namely bringing prosperity to the Papuan people.

Yogyakarta – Around 50 students from the University of Gadjah Mada (UGM) campus’ Proselytizing Institutions Goodwill Forum held an action on February 13 opposing the celebration of Valentines Day claiming that it tarnishes the sanctity of love.

1st Man: Wow. The House of Representatives... sophisticated, impressive, luxurious, inspiring...

2nd Man: What? Their performance? Their closeness to the people?

1st Man: Their plans for a new building...

Jakarta – The Star Reform Party (PBR) is positioning itself as a religious party that is ‘socialistic’, by not accentuating religious symbols, but rather with a substance that sides with marginal groups. Such a position has not yet been taken up by any other Islamic parties.

Laurencius Simanjuntak, Jakarta – Protest actions continue to enliven the main roads of Jakarta. Today, Thursday January 29, four demonstrations will contribute to the hustle and bustle of the capital.

1st Man: A [winning] candidate is based upon a majority vote.

2nd Man: Ah yes, but votes can be bought.

1st Man: Then why do people prefer for women candidates. 

1st Man: There hasn’t been any corrupt women legislators yet, clean...

Happy Chinese New Year

Sign: Visit Jakarta the Water Front City

For many communities in North Jakarta this year, Chinese New Year celebrations were marred by widespread flooding.

Indra Subagja, Jakarta – The United Nations will continue to monitor the case involving the murder of human rights activist Munir. UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Margaret Sekaggya has also conveyed her feelings of concern about the acquittal of Munir murder defendant Muchdi Purwoprandjono.